FORMER TRAINER JAILED FOR 15 MONTHS Former Newmarket trainer Geoff Huffer was today jailed for 15 months for attempting to evade paying duty on alcohol that had been imported from Europe. Huffer, who was based at La Grange stables, attempted to secure the release from warehouses of the alcohol which had been brought in to Britain on lorries, and on which no duty had been paid in August 1999. The 53-year-old, who trained 1988 St James`s Palace Stakes winner Persian Heights, was found guilty of defrauding Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise of around Stg£240,000. The figure represents Huffer`s part in a racket that evaded duty and VAT totalling Stg£5 million on 45 lorry-loads of whisky, gin and brandy imported between July 1 and August 31, 1999. Huffer, who sent out more than 200 winners in 12 years with a licence, denied four charges of knowingly evading duty and VAT. He appeared at Croyden Crown Court today for sentencing on two charges of attempting to knowingly evade duty and VAT. He had been convicted of the charges by a jury at the same court earlier this year.
